Development Tools

wags007

Turnkey Linux turns everything up to 12 on their 4th B-Day…

The guys over at Turnkey Linux have released version 12 of their awesome server appliance core platform.  They also added 60+ new appliances.  If you haven’t given them a shot I highly suggest it especially if you are new to Linux.  Heck I am an old time Linux user and love the ability to just download an appliance like the one they that comes setup with the Redmine project management server and Git, Bazaar, Mercurial and Subversion SCM.  Everyone of them is setup and ready for you to use.  Just download the appliance in any of 7 formats from ISO images to OpenVZ VMs and so much in between.  The best feature I have come to love and rely on is their server back and migration tool.  They call it TKLBAM – AKA the TurnKey Linux Backup and Migration system.  It allows you to take any currently existing system and back it up to S3.  Then restore the backup to a new machine leaving you in the same state but on updated software.  All the benefits but none of the pain.  It’s an awesome idea and works well.  Watch for a full review and description of my experience coming soon. 

One really import change is their migration away from Ubuntu to Debian.  Check out the article for a very clear description and explanation of why.  The reasons are sound and hopefully the right people are listening.

Most of all though we would like to wish them a Happy 4th B-Day.  Let’s hope there are plenty more in their future.

wags007

Is Linux a fragmented operating system…

ITWorld.com has a great article that discusses how different development is in today’s world as compared to say 10 years ago.  They focus on the fact that Linux is at the core of so many devices these days how can you know what hardware platform your app will need to run on?  The article asks lots of interesting quesitons and has some ideas of where we are going.  Where do you think we are headed?  Is having so many different ways to use linux, i.e. Phones, Laptops, tablets, making it harder or easier to program?

wags007

Linus Torvalds talks about Software Development

Linus is one of the most respected Open Source Development Leaders.  His leadership has made the Linux Kernel as popular and successful as it is today.  So when one of the writes over at HP.com got a chance to talk to him he spent time trying to get his top points on software development.  There are lots of good tips about Open Source Development.  A great point he makes in the article is that listening to your users is the most important thing.  He also talks about how you shouldn’t expect to open source something and see a line at your door to help code it.

 

wags007

The kernel can now be found at GitHub…

In an interesting turn of events Linus Torvalds has put a copy of the Kernel Git repo up on GitHub.  Interesting to see the code show up on a second location.  Github is a great place to store or find opensource projects.  They make their money by doing private Git hosting.  The tool is easy to use and can give you more tree level controls than standard Git provides.  If you are looking for a cool place to work on your opensource project or a secure place to store your companies projects take a look at it.